Panasonic adds ten unique designs to their budget-friendly Lumix XS1

Panasonic is now offering its Lumix DMC-XS1 compact camera - which was first introduced at CES in January - with ten custom 'skins'. The themes for these skins include pop art, gift wrapping, floral nature, digital, texture, and Japanese traditional. The XS1 features a 16 megapixel CCD, 5X (24-120 mm) optical zoom with image stabilization, a 2.7" LCD, and 720p video recording. The new 'skinned' XS1s are priced at $149 - a $20 premium over the red, silver, and black models that are currently available. We don't know yet if these designs will be available outside of the US in the future.

Panasonic’s Slimmest, Stylish Digital Compact Camera LUMIX DMC-XS1 is Now Available in 10 Special Designs

SECAUCUS, NJ (April 25, 2013) - Panasonic is pleased to introduce 10 new exclusive designs for the sleek LUMIX DMC-XS1 (XS1). This digital camera combines high picture quality and a host of creative options in Panasonic’s slimmest body yet to make photography more artistic and fun.

Each extraordinary design pattern dresses the LUMIX XS1 even more stylishly for trend-conscious consumers, making them an ideal choice for a unique gift for families or friends. The new design patterns are based on the following six concepts:

Pop Art – cheerful design with colorful graphics

Gift Wrapping – designed in the motif of beautiful gift wrapping

Floral Nature - designed in the motif of plants and flowers

Digital – urban design with digital typography

Texture – high fashion design with faux texture

Japanese Traditional – design with Japanese traditional Kanji characters

But, the LUMIX XS1 is more than a style statement; it is a compact digital camera that delivers high quality photo / video recording. It incorporates a 24mm wide-angle 5x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 24 mm to 120 mm on a 35mm camera) for versatile image composition in an ultra flat body profile, which is made possible with Panasonic’s advanced optical design and development technology. A variety of special effects that add fun to the shooting experience are integrated in the LUMIX XS1 – Creative Control, Creative Retouch and Creative Panorama. With a motion picture button on the top of the camera, 720p HD video recording can be started instantly. For beginners, iA (Intelligent Auto) mode allows users leave everything to the camera to take beautiful images with its MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Intelligent Exposure and Face Detection. Once you enter the iA mode, these multi-capable functions occur automatically, so that you can shoot without the concern of adjusting settings when conditions change. The LUMIX XS1 also comes with Auto Retouch that applies retouching to the photo to help improve its quality. In addition, the camera uses a microSD Memory Card and AC / USB power charging.

This is the way to go on aesthetics, to make high tech instruments to look cheerful. Black, black, black and only black is boooring. Recently, I have seen one thing that surprised me: metal stickers to place in the cameras (Gariz), and now the OEM is doing it itself... I like it.

Shocking idea, it's not a mobile phone, love the idea of an aesthetically thoughtful design parameter implemented into the functionality of a precision instrument, however, placing gaudy templates over such an instrument in no way dignifies itself.This could have been done with aftermarket cases very easily.Shame on you panasonic, you should be putting the money into better image quality.Not gimmicks.